Losing or needing a spare key for your Infiniti can be a frustrating experience, often accompanied by the dreaded thought of high dealership costs. If you’re wondering “how to program Infiniti factory car key” without breaking the bank, you’re in the right place. Many Infiniti owners face this situation, seeking alternatives to dealership prices for key fob replacement and programming. Let’s explore a real-world experience and the options available to you.
One Infiniti owner with a 2017 Q60 3.0t Premium found themselves in this exact predicament, receiving only one key fob upon purchasing their vehicle. Seeking a cost-effective solution, they turned to online retailers and local locksmiths, documenting their journey to getting a second key programmed. This experience sheds light on the various paths you can take to program your Infiniti factory car key and potentially save money.
Exploring Key Fob Options and Programming Costs
The initial step for many is to acquire a new key fob. Online marketplaces like Amazon offer replacement fobs at significantly lower prices than dealerships. In this case, the owner purchased two new key fobs from KeylessRemotes for just $70.
Once you have a new fob, programming is the next hurdle. Dealerships are often perceived as the only option, but independent locksmiths and even DIY methods might be viable alternatives, depending on your Infiniti model and year. To gauge the cost difference, the Infiniti owner contacted both a local auto locksmith and their Infiniti dealer.
The auto locksmith quoted $125 to program both fobs, plus an additional $45 per key for cutting – totaling $220. Intrigued by a potentially lower dealer cost, they then contacted their local Infiniti dealership. Initially, the dealer seemed more affordable, quoting $85 for programming and $40 per key cut, bringing the total to $165.
Dealer Setbacks and Locksmith Success
However, the dealership visit took an unexpected turn. After inspecting the purchased fobs, the service advisor claimed they were “the wrong frequency,” despite the owner’s careful cross-referencing of FCC numbers and part numbers. This highlights a potential issue: even with seemingly compatible parts, dealerships might raise concerns or refuse to program keys not purchased directly from them.
Unconvinced by the dealer’s assessment, the Infiniti owner contacted tech support for the online key retailer. This led them to a mobile locksmith who offered a significantly better deal. Quoting just $75 for everything – programming both fobs and cutting both keys – the mobile locksmith proved to be the most efficient and cost-effective solution. The locksmith arrived, used an OBD2 port tool, and completed the entire process in under ten minutes.
Key Takeaways for Infiniti Key Programming
This real-life experience offers valuable insights for anyone needing to program an Infiniti factory car key:
- Online Key Fob Purchase: Consider purchasing replacement key fobs online from reputable retailers to save on upfront costs. Ensure compatibility by carefully checking FCC IDs and part numbers.
- Locksmiths as a Viable Alternative: Auto locksmiths, especially mobile services, can offer significantly lower prices for programming and key cutting compared to dealerships.
- Dealer Price Variability: Dealership quotes can vary, and they may sometimes express concerns about programming keys not bought from them. Always get quotes from multiple sources.
- OBD2 Port Programming: Modern locksmiths often use tools that program keys through the OBD2 port, making the process quick and efficient.
In conclusion, while dealerships are an option for Infiniti key programming, exploring alternatives like online key purchases and locksmith services can lead to substantial cost savings and a more convenient experience. By doing your research and getting multiple quotes, you can effectively address the question of “how to program Infiniti factory car key” while keeping your expenses down.
